The Characteristics of a Disability Friendly Elevator

Ever since the introduction of the
Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) and Equality Act 2010, businesses have a
legal requirement to provide accessibility for those who consider themselves disabled.
After all, it was incredibly difficult for disabled people to get around with
the lack of attention that was given to disability friendly accessibility. Here
at Elevators Ltd, we have a wide range of elevators available, many of which
include DDA compliant options. Read on as we go through some of the
characteristics that can be found in a disability friendly elevator…

Wheelchair Accessibility

When it comes to the basics of a
disability elevator, it is important that they are wheelchair accessible. After
all, lifts are the only way that wheelchair bound members of society can
navigate the different floors or a building and if they are not large enough to
comfortably fit a wheelchair inside then they cannot be deemed disability
friendly.

Braille

Known as a tactile writing system
that was introduced in 1824, Braille can be incredibly important for the
visually impaired. After all, there may only be 20,000 people in the UK who use
it but it is important to provide the option inside your elevator for those who
do require it in order to get around independently.

Audible Announcements

Another way that elevators can be
adapted for the visually impaired is to provide audible announcements when the
elevator doors are opening and closing, when a floor button has been selected
and when the cab has reached each floor. This way passengers that do not use
the Braille system are still able to make use of elevators safely and
independently.

Handrails

Some people prefer to use elevators
because they find stairs too risky. In fact, there are thousands of people that
suffer with balance issues who are considered a fall risk on busy public
staircases which means that the elevator is a safer alternative. With this
said, the jittery movements can be problematic for people with balance problems
so it is important that a disability friendly cab is fitted with secure
handrails.

It is incredibly difficult to carry
out regular daily requirements without disability accessibility for the members
of society who are not able bodied, and that is why it is important that we
make adaptions in order to cater for their needs. After all, a simple elevator
with the characteristics above can make a huge difference to someone who is
wheelchair bound and help them continue living independently. To find out more
information about our disability friendly elevators, get in contact with the
best lift company
around and speak to a member of the Elevators Ltd team today!